Full Notification

Over the last couple of years, criminals have targeted two specific vehicle items for theft. First is the catalytic converter, this device is installed on vehicles for emissions control. Due to the exterior location of the converters they have become a target for thieves. Vehicles that sit higher from the ground, such as trucks, pick-ups and SUVs, are particularly vulnerable to catalytic converter theft because thieves can slide underneath without having to jack up the vehicle to gain access to the converter. With just a few cuts of a battery-powered saw, the converter can be removed in less than a minute.

The second is the third row seat in Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC full size SUVs because these seats are easily removed and storable, they have become high theft items. The seats are very easy to reinstall in any similar SUV and it's impossible to track them back to the original vehicle.

Due to the increase of thefts in local and surrounding neighborhoods, we want to be proactive and alert our residents.

Here are some examples to help prevent or deter these thefts:

• LOCK YOUR DOORS. You would be surprised how many vehicles are left unlock.

• Pay attention to where you park. Thieves don't want to take chances when they don't have to, so if you're park in a well-lit, busy place and have nothing of value that can be instantly seen inside the vehicle, chances are, they'll move on to a different SUV.

• If your third row seats are not being used, remove them. It takes no time at all to remove and re-install them.

• Lock down your third row seats with a good bicycle cable lock. This makes them more difficult to steal and more time consuming for thieves. Thieves don’t want to spend a lot of time in a vehicle and the more difficult you make it, the less chance you’ll have property stolen
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• Discreetly mark your seats/property with identifying information, such as a driver’s license number. This way, if the police come across your property, they’ll have a better chance of returning it to the owner.

In the event you see any suspicious activity, please obtain as much information as possible about the individual(s) and contact the Tustin Police Department directly at (714) 573-3225.